Ali Solis steps up for Missions after Phillips is called up

Catcher Ali Solis made the most of his ascension to a more prominent role with the Missions on Saturday, stroking two hits and driving in four runs in a 10-1 victory over the Corpus Christi Hooks.

Making his second start in a row at catcher since Kyle Phillips was called up to the San Diego Padres on Friday, Solis produced a run-scoring single in the third inning and then hit a three-run double in the sixth.

With the win, the Missions (19-10) increased their lead in the Texas League South to five games over the Midland RockHounds (14-15).

Rounding out the division nearly halfway through the first-half race are the Frisco Rough Riders (13-16) and the Hooks (12-17).

The Missions and the Hooks play the second game of the four-game series on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. The series continues at 11:05 a.m. on Monday before it concludes with a 7:05 p.m. contest on Monday.

Phillips, who hit .316 in 19 games with the Missions, started at catcher for the Padres on Saturday night. He went 0-for-3 in a 6-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.